The United States is considering taking military action in Mali against al Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, The Washington Post reported on July 22, citing statements from current and former officials of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. White House and State Department officials criticized Russia's "terrible performance" in countering jihadist groups across the western Sahel and noted that the administration was "committed to promoting regional ownership and cooperation" against JNIM and Islamic State Sahel Province, or ISSP.